Electronically controlled sample warper with fixed and rotary creels

Abstract

An electronically controlled sample warper which automatically exchanges yarns and winds the yarns on a warper drum in accordance with a preset yarn order. A plurality of yarn introduction mechanisms are each rotatably mounted to a side surface of the warper drum for winding a yarn on the warper drum. A yarn introduction member is arranged at a distal end of each of the yarn introduction mechanisms for holding a yarn. A plurality of yarn selection guides are arranged in one end portion of a base for supporting the warper drum corresponding to the yarn introduction mechanisms with each yarn selection guide pivotally moved to protrude to a yarn exchange position when a yarn is exchanged and pivotally moved to retract to a standby position when a yarn is accommodated. Yarns are passed between the yarn introduction mechanisms and the yarn selection guides. A fixed creel is installed corresponding to the plurality of yarn selection guides supporting a plurality of bobbins on which different kinds of yarns are wound. A rotary creel is installed corresponding to the plurality of yarn selection guides supporting a plurality of bobbins on which different kinds and/or the same kind of yarns are wound. The yarns in the fixed creel and the rotary creel are accommodated in corresponding yarn selection guides, so that they can be used in combination in accordance with preset pattern data, when these yarns are wound on the warper drum, to perform pattern warping.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An electronically controlled sample warper for automatically exchanging yarns and winding the yarns in accordance with a preset yarn order, said warper comprising: 
       a warper drum;  
       a plurality of yarn introduction means each rotatably mounted to a side surface of said warper drum for winding a yarn on said warper drum;  
       a yarn introduction member arranged at a distal end of each of said yarn introduction means for holding a yarn;  
       a plurality of yarn selection guides, arranged in one end portion of a base for supporting said warper drum in correspondence to said yarn introduction means, each said yarn selection guide being pivotally moved to protrude to a yarn exchange position when a yarn is exchanged and pivotally moved to retract to a standby position when a yarn is accommodated, wherein yarns are passed between said yarn introduction means and said yarn selection guides;  
       a fixed creel supporting a plurality of bobbins around which different kinds and/or the same kind of yarns are wound, said fixed creel being positioned adjacent corresponding ones of said plurality of yarn selection guides;  
       a rotary creel supporting a plurality of bobbins around which different kinds and/or the same kind of yarns are wound, said rotary creel being positioned adjacent corresponding ones of said plurality of yarn selection guides; and  
       means for, when a warping operation is started, determining whether said fixed creel or said rotary creel is used in accordance with preset pattern data, and controlling said fixed creel or said rotary creel to be selectively used in alternation in accordance with said pattern data.  
     
     
       2. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  1 , wherein both the yarns in said fixed creel and the yarns in said rotary creel are accommodated in corresponding ones of said plurality of yarn selection guides, so that the yarns in said fixed creel and the yarns in said rotary creel can be used in combination in accordance with preset pattern data to wind said yarns on said warper drum to perform pattern warping. 
     
     
       3. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  2 , further comprising means for, when a warping operation is started, determining whether said fixed creel or said rotary creel is used in accordance with preset pattern data, and controlling said fixed creel or said rotary creel to be selectively used in alternation in accordance with said pattern data. 
     
     
       4. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  2 , wherein when said rotary creel is used, a plurality of yarns are simultaneously warped, and further comprising means for, when said rotary creel is used to simultaneously warp two or more yarns, rotating said rotary creel in synchronism with the rotation of said plurality of yarn introduction means, and passing yarns by yarn selection guides corresponding to said yarn introduction members and said rotary creel. 
     
     
       5. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  2 , further comprising means for, when said rotary creel is used to warp a single yarn retaining said rotary creel in an inoperative state when single yarn introduction means on said rotary creel is only used for warping. 
     
     
       6. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  2 , further comprising means for, when said fixed creel is used to warp a single yarn, operating one of said plurality of yarn introduction members such that the yarn is passed by a yarn selection guide corresponding to preset pattern data. 
     
     
       7. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  2 , wherein said yarn introduction member is movably mounted to the distal end of each said yarn introduction means, wherein when a yarn is passed from said yarn introduction member to a yarn selection guide, said yarn introduction member is moved in a direction in which said yarn is removed to remove said yarn from said yarn introduction member, said removed yarn being held by said yarn selection guide, and when a yarn is passed from a yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction member, said yarn introduction member is moved in a direction in which the yarn is held to hold the yarn held in said yarn selection guide in said yarn introduction member to exchange yarns. 
     
     
       8. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  7 , wherein said yarn introduction member is rotatably mounted to the distal end of said yarn introduction means, wherein said yarn introduction member is rotated in a direction in which a yarn is removed to remove the yarn from said yarn introduction member, and said yarn introduction member is rotated in a direction in which the yarn is held to hold the yarn in said yarn introduction member to exchange yarns. 
     
     
       9. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  8 , wherein said yarn introduction member is actuated by a plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units, said plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units being arranged on an end surface of said warper drum or on a yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units being operated to actuate said yarn introduction members in accordance with a preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       10. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  9 , further comprising a plurality of yarn introduction member detecting sensors on the end surface of said warper drum or on the yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said yarn introduction member actuator units being operated in response to a yarn introduction means detecting signal from said sensors in accordance with said preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       11. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  7 , wherein said yarn introduction member is movably mounted to the distal end of each said yarn introduction means through a yarn introduction plate. 
     
     
       12. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  11 , wherein said yarn introduction member is mounted to the distal end of said yarn introduction plate for protruding and retracting movements, said yarn introduction member being accommodated into said yarn introduction plate to remove a yarn from said yarn introduction member, and said yarn introduction member being protruded from said yarn introduction plate to hold a yarn in said yarn introduction member to exchange yarns. 
     
     
       13. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  11 , wherein said yarn introduction member is pivotably mounted to the distal end of said yarn introduction plate, wherein said yarn introduction member is pivotally moved in a direction in which said yarn introduction member is accommodated in said yarn introduction plate to remove a yarn from said yarn introduction member, and said yarn introduction member is pivotally moved in a direction in which said yarn introduction member protrudes from said yarn introduction plate to hold a yarn in said yarn introduction member to exchange yarns. 
     
     
       14. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  7 , wherein said yarn introduction member is actuated by a plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units, said plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units being arranged on an end surface of said warper drum or on a yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units being operated to actuate said yarn introduction members in accordance with a preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       15. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  14 , further comprising a plurality of yarn introduction member detecting sensors on the end surface of said warper drum or on the yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said yarn introduction member actuator units being operated in response to a yarn introduction means detecting signal from said sensors in accordance with said preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       16. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  7 , further comprising a plurality of yarn introduction member detecting sensors on one of an end surface of said warper drum and the yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said yarn introduction members being actuated in response to a yarn introduction means detecting signal from said sensors in accordance with said preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       17. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  2 , further comprising a yarn removing member arranged near each yarn selection guide for protruding and retracting movements, said yarn removing member being linearly movable in a vertical direction, wherein when a yarn is passed from said yarn introduction member to said yarn selection guide, said yarn removing member is protruded to remove the yarn from said yarn introduction member, said removed yarn being held by said yarn selection guide, and when a yarn is passed from said yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction member, said yarn removing member is retracted to pass the yarn held in said yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction means. 
     
     
       18. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  2 , further comprising a yarn removing member arranged near each yarn selection guide for said rotary creel and another yarn removing member arranged near each yarn selection guide for said fixed creel, wherein when a yarn is passed from said yarn introduction member to said yarn selection guide, said yarn removing member is protruded to remove the yarn from said yarn introduction member, said removed yarn being held by said yarn selection guide, and when a yarn is passed from said yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction member, said yarn removing member is retracted to pass the yarn held in said yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction means. 
     
     
       19. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  1 , wherein when said rotary creel is used, a plurality of yarns are simultaneously warped, and further comprising means for, when said rotary creel is used to simultaneously warp two or more yarns, rotating said rotary creel in synchronism with the rotation of said plurality of yarn introduction means, and passing yarns by yarn selection guides corresponding to said yarn introduction members and said rotary creel. 
     
     
       20. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  1 , further comprising means for, when said rotary creel is used to warp a single yarn, retaining said rotary creel in an inoperative state when single yarn introduction means on said rotary creel is only used for warping. 
     
     
       21. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  1 , further comprising means for, when said fixed creel is used to warp a single yarn, operating one of said plurality of yarn introduction members such that the yarn is passed by a yarn selection guide corresponding to preset pattern data. 
     
     
       22. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  1 , wherein said yarn introduction member is movably mounted to the distal end of each said yarn introduction means, wherein when a yarn is passed from said yarn introduction member to a yarn selection guide, said yarn introduction member is moved in a direction in which said yarn is removed to remove said yarn from said yarn introduction member, said removed yarn being held by said yarn selection guide, and when a yarn is passed from a yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction member, said yarn introduction member is moved in a direction in which the yarn is held to hold the yarn held in said yarn selection guide in said yarn introduction member to exchange yarns. 
     
     
       23. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  22 , wherein said yarn introduction member is rotatably mounted to the distal end of said yarn introduction means, wherein said yarn introduction member is rotated in a direction in which a yarn is removed to remove the yarn from said yarn introduction member, and said yarn introduction member is rotated in a direction in which the yarn is held to hold the yarn in said yarn introduction member to exchange yarns. 
     
     
       24. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  23 , wherein said yarn introduction member is actuated by a plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units, said plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units being arranged on an end surface of said warper drum or on a yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units being operated to actuate said yarn introduction members in accordance with a preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       25. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  24 , further comprising a plurality of yarn introduction member detecting sensors on the end surface of said warper drum or on the yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said yarn introduction member actuator units being operated in response to a yarn introduction means detecting signal from said sensors in accordance with said preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       26. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  22 , wherein said yarn introduction member is movably mounted to the distal end of each said yarn introduction means through a yarn introduction plate. 
     
     
       27. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  26 , wherein said yarn introduction member is mounted to the distal end of said yarn introduction plate for protruding and retracting movements, said yarn introduction member being accommodated into said yarn introduction plate to remove a yarn from said yarn introduction member, and said yarn introduction member being protruded from said yarn introduction plate to hold a yarn in said yarn introduction member to exchange yarns. 
     
     
       28. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  26 , wherein said yarn introduction member is pivotably mounted to the distal end of said yarn introduction plate, wherein said yarn introduction member is pivotally moved in a direction in which said yarn introduction member is accommodated in said yarn introduction plate to remove a yarn from said yarn introduction member, and said yarn introduction member is pivotally moved in a direction in which said yarn introduction member protrudes from said yarn introduction plate to hold a yarn in said yarn introduction member to exchange yarns. 
     
     
       29. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  22 , wherein said yarn introduction member is actuated by a plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units, said plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units being arranged on an end surface of said warper drum or on a yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said plurality of yarn introduction member actuator units being operated to actuate said yarn introduction members in accordance with a preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       30. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  29 , further comprising a plurality of yarn introduction member detecting sensors on the end surface of said warper drum or on the yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said yarn introduction member actuator units being operated in response to a yarn introduction means detecting signal from said sensors in accordance with said preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       31. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  22 , further comprising a plurality of yarn introduction member detecting sensors on the end surface of said warper drum or on the yarn introduction cover positioned on the end surface of said warper drum, said yarn introduction members being actuated in response to a yarn introduction means detecting signal from said sensors in accordance with said preset yarn exchange order. 
     
     
       32. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  1 , further comprising a yarn removing member arranged near each yarn selection guide for protruding and retracting movements, said yarn removing member being linearly movable in a vertical direction, wherein when a yarn is passed from said yarn introduction member to said yarn selection guide, said yarn removing member is protruded to remove the yarn from said yarn introduction member, said removed yarn being held by said yarn selection guide, and when a yarn is passed from said yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction member, said yarn removing member is retracted to pass the yarn held in said yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction means. 
     
     
       33. An electronically controlled sample warper according to claim  1 , further comprising a yarn removing member arranged near each yarn selection guide for said rotary creel and another yarn removing member arranged near each yarn selection guide for said fixed creel, wherein when a yarn is passed from said yarn introduction member to said yarn selection guide, said yarn removing member is protruded to remove the yarn from said yarn introduction member, said removed yarn being held by said yarn selection guide, and when a yarn is passed from said yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction member, said yarn removing member is retracted to pass the yarn held in said yarn selection guide to said yarn introduction means. 
     
     
       34. A warping method using an electronically controlled sample warper comprising a fixed creel carrying yarns and a rotary creel carrying yarns, comprising the steps of: 
       selecting said fixed creel or said rotary creel in accordance with preset pattern data;  
       using said fixed creel to perform pattern warping with a single yarn for complicated pattern warping by retracting all of the yarns of the rotary creel to standby positions using a yarn selection guide unit so that one of various yarns of the fixed creel can be provided to the yarn introduction member and wound on a warper drum; and  
       using said rotary creel to perform simultaneous plural yarn warping with two or more yarns for plain warping or simple pattern warping by retracting various yarns for the fixed creel to standby positions using the yarn selection guide unit, so that said two or more yarns of the yarns of the rotary creel can be provided to the yarn introduction members and wound together on the warper drum.